Zimbabwean Drivers Now Forced to Buy Radio Licence to Renew ZINARA Disk or Insurance
Zimbabwean motorists now have to pay for a radio licence before they can renew their vehicle licences, following a new law signed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This change is part of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025), published under General Notice 1034 of 2025. The law aims to boost compliance with radio licence payments — a long-standing revenue stream for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
Drivers Now Forced to Buy Radio Licence to Renew ZINARA Disk or Insurance
According to Clause 15 of the amended act, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) is now barred from issuing vehicle licences to anyone who hasn’t paid for a valid ZBC radio licence or received an exemption from the broadcaster. Similarly, insurers are prohibited from issuing motor insurance policies without that proof — unless the vehicle doesn’t have a radio.
ZBC Set to Cash In— But There’s a Loophole
The move could unlock millions in revenue for ZBC. Official figures show that Zimbabwe has about 1.2 million registered vehicles, but only 800,000 are currently paying their licence fees.
With radio licences costing US$23 per quarter (or US$92 a year), that means ZBC could earn up to US$73.6 million a year from compliant motorists. If every registered vehicle paid, the broadcaster would collect US$110 million annually, though authorities believe many vehicles are no longer on the road.
Also read: Retesting for All Zimbabwean Drivers Under New Licence Rules
Only Way Out: No Radio, No Fee
For drivers who genuinely don’t have a radio in their vehicles, there is a way to avoid paying. They must sign a declaration confirming that their car doesn’t have a radio receiver. ZBC will then issue them with an exemption certificate, allowing them to renew their licence without the radio fee.
Motorists who want to avoid the US$92 annual payment will now have to prove it — or pay up.
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The post Zimbabwean Drivers Now Forced to Buy Radio Licence to Renew ZINARA Disk or Insurance — But There’s a Loophole appeared first on iHarare News.
